(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — The latest power outage in Simi Valley, which darkened homes throughout the city for as long as 24 hours, has reignited frustrations over Southern California Edison’s (SCE) handling of outages. Residents are now calling for meaningful solutions, urging the utility giant to invest in infrastructure upgrades to prevent outages rather than rely on reactive measures.
The outage, which followed a relatively calm day weather-wise, left many questioning why power lines in low-risk urban areas are still subject to disruptions. “I live on flat land, in a city, not in the mountains,” said a local resident, John Mitchell. “There’s no fire danger here, yet we’re constantly dealing with outages. SCE needs to rethink its priorities.”
For years, SCE has defended its preemptive power shutoffs as a necessary measure to prevent wildfires. However, residents argue that these outages disproportionately impact areas with minimal fire risk. “Why are we still using outdated above-ground lines in urban areas?” asked Melissa Grant, another Simi Valley resident. “SCE should be burying lines and modernizing the grid, not leaving us in the dark every time there’s a wind advisory.”
SCE has reported substantial profits in recent years, yet many customers feel those earnings haven’t translated into meaningful improvements to the power grid. Critics argue that instead of distributing profits to shareholders or executives, SCE should prioritize upgrading its infrastructure to prevent outages.
“Burying power lines in high-impact areas should be the standard by now,” said Emily Harper, whose neighborhood was affected by the outage. “With the rates we’re paying, there’s no excuse for the utility company not to make these investments.”
A 2019 SCE report estimated the cost of undergrounding power lines at about $3 million per mile—a steep price, but one many argue is justified given the financial and emotional toll of repeated outages. “We’re paying more than ever with TOU pricing, and yet the reliability of the service hasn’t improved,” Harper added.
Experts and residents alike suggest several steps SCE could take to reduce outages and restore public trust:
- Underground Power Lines: Burying high-risk power lines would reduce vulnerability to wind and fire.
- Microgrid Technology: Deploying localized grids with battery storage could prevent large-scale outages.
- Smart Grid Investments: Enhanced monitoring systems could isolate and repair faults more quickly.
- Ratepayer Accountability: Mandating that a portion of profits go toward infrastructure upgrades.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has also faced criticism for allowing utilities to prioritize profits over proactive measures. Local residents are encouraged to report concerns to the CPUC and demand stricter oversight of how SCE allocates its funds.
As Simi Valley continues to grow, so do demands on its electrical infrastructure. Without significant investment, outages may become more frequent, and the burden will likely fall on customers already struggling with high bills under SCE’s Time of Use pricing system.
“We’re tired of paying premium rates for subpar service,” said Mitchell. “SCE needs to spend its profits where they’re needed—on fixing the grid, not padding their bottom line.”
For residents of Simi Valley, the message to SCE is clear: invest in real, long-term solutions to ensure reliable power and restore faith in the utility’s ability to meet the community’s needs.
